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k e r n s t e e l f a b r i c at i o n i n c . profile
Air Force to determine its specific
needs. The company provided compre-
hensive design and engineering services
and custom-crafted the stand to meet
the needs of the Air Force.
“We work on many public projects
and have many repeat customers, which
is something we are very proud of,” Vice
President Gene Panelli says. “To deliver
the highest quality, we have qualified
project managers on every project, and a
field superintendent stays in the field to
keep his focus on customers’ issues. We
keep track of any complaints or prob-
lems in the field and follow up quickly
on any issues. Also, we are ISO 9000-
certified, which helps us to maintain our
quality focus.”
With more than 49 years of experi-
ence, Kern Steel provides structural
steel fabrication and structural steel
design services in California and various
other locations throughout the United
States. After its success at Travis AFB,
Kern Steel created a division dedicated
to constructing aircraft docking and
maintenance systems.
Focus on the Customer
Panelli says Kern Steel’s dedication to
meeting clients’ needs is demonstrated
on every job.
Not long ago, general contractor
Hartigan/Foley came to Kern Steel, with
which it had worked multiple times
before, to construct a parking structure
for the headquarters of Patagonia Inc.
This was a special project because
Patagonia wanted a parking structure
that would provide shade for employ-
ees’ vehicles, but also produce electrici-
ty for the entire building. It also wanted
the structure to be made of corrosion-
resistant steel. Kern Steel delivered on
every need by erecting a parking lot
canopy that held solar panels.
“This was a custom installation and
had to be aesthetically pleasing and
Kern Steel filled the bill very well,”
said Jerry Brown, superintendent of
Hartigan/Foley, after the project was
finished.
The goal of Kern Steel, Panelli says, is
to provide a high-quality product with
the least amount of trouble to clients. If
the company can achieve that on every
project, he says, it makes its customers
more profitable.
“We have to keep our focus on the
customer to remain competitive,” he
says. “As long as we can maintain the
degree of product we’re supplying, we
will continue to grow.” x
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